Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

7 Bleeding, Wound Care and Trauma

Addressing a puncture wound may be part of the primary or the secondary survey. • Expose the wound. • Control bleeding with direct pressure. • Dress and bandage the wound. Penetrating chest wound A puncture injury that penetrates into the chest cavity is called a penetrating chest wound. This type of wound is at risk for a condition called a pneumothorax where air enters through the wound and into the chest cavity when the patient inhales. If enough air enters the chest cavity, it can cause a tension pneumothorax where the air displaces and crushes the lungs and heart, causing death.

A penetrating chest wound may not include a break in the skin surface. Blunt force or crush injury can break bones that penetrate internally. This type of injury can also create a tension pneumothorax if the lung is penetrated. But in this case the air enters the chest cavity through the damaged lung. A penetrating chest wound can easily become a life threat. It is important to be able to quickly assess a penetrating chest wound and provide first aid while activating 911 or getting help. Signs and Symptoms Penetrating Chest Wound • Blood bubbling in the wound when patient breathes • Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing • Cyanosis, bluish colour to lips.

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